When to breed

[Haven]

If I remember correctly, I was told to breed a doe at 8 lbs or 8 months, whichever comes first. I haven't gotten around to weighing my Cali doe yet, she was born in April.

She looks pretty big, but i can't remember if the 8 months part was correct, or if it was sooner...

[SaratogaNZW]

Californias should be sexually mature by 5 months. Keep checking her hiney every day for a week, and 1-2 days a week she will be darker colored and swollen. That's your best indicator shes ready and that's also the best day to breed her, she will more receptive to a buck that day.

[SquashNut]

My cals are a bit later than the NZ's.
cals breed at about 6 monthes.
Nz's about 5 monthes.

[Haven]

Thanks for the replies.

I was also wondering...Right now the only cage I have empty is one of those wooden hutches with the seperate nesting area built off the side. When I do the breeding, will it be ok to move the bred doe into the new hutch so she can kindle in the box, or should I keep her in her pen, move her doe cagemate to the hutch? If i keep her in her pen, i do have nest boxes I can add, I just wasn't sure who should get moved and who needs to stay. Sorry if this is a dumb question, I don't want to move her if means she will reject the babies or something.

[akane]

The point at which they can breed isn't always the point at which they should breed. Some of mini rex can breed at 8-12weeks but that's not very healthy for them and generally results in small litters that are abandoned or killed outright from the doe not being fully physically or mentally mature. As a general rule I breed the small breeds at 5-6months and the large breeds at 6-8months depending on the rabbit. I don't care if they come in to condition a month or 2 before that. I have more successful first litters if I breed them fully mature than when they are the equivalent of teenagers.